'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 Meanwhile, the gap has started to stabilise at just above the six-minute mark. Katusha-Alpecin have come to the front to take some of the responsibility off the shoulders of FDJ, and their man Alexander Kristoff is a top favourite on a day like this, where legs could be slightly drained come the sprint.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 105km remaining from 190km The gap creeps up towards the 8-minute mark, with the average pace for the opening two hours lying just above 40km/h.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 Lotto Soudal contribute to the pace setting at the head of the peloton but they're hitting the feed zone now.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 75km remaining from 190kmGap falling With around 75km remaining, the peloton upped the pace and are beginning to eat into the advantage of the breakaway trio. The gap is back down to around 6 minutes as Marcel Kittel's Quick-Step team join in.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 The riders are approaching the first of two categorised climbs on today's route. It's the Côte de Grandmont and it's 2.4km long with an average gradient of 4.9%. Not overly worrying in itself, but the terrain does get lumpier the nearer riders get to the finish, and it will be an aperitif ahead of the stinging Côte de Charrecey later on.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 70km remaining from 190kmThe gap falls below the five-minute mark. It's FDJ, Quick-Step, and Lotto Soudal doing the damage.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 60km remaining from 190kmThe chase is on. 3:30 is the current gap.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 50km remaining from 190kmThree minutes is the gap now as Direct Energie make their presence felt towards the front of the peloton. Their sprinter Bryan Coquard is a candidate for the stage win today, and will be full of motivation after being dropped in the crosswinds yesterday and denied the chance to sprint.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 42km remaining from 190kmThe breakaway riders continue to collaborate but with just over 40km remaining, their advantage, falling steadily, is down at 2 minutes.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 35km remaining from 190km1:30 is the gap now with 35 remaining. The peloton is making no mistake.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 ???????????? CRASH Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg lies stricken on the ground. He's the only one who hit the deck but he's hit it hard, and he's receiving medical attention now. It's unclear what exactly caused that.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 ????????????????????????The South African champion is back on his feet and it looks like he wants to get back on his bike. The race doctor, however, insists on patience and wants to make sure he's ok. Replays suggest a touch of wheels with the rider in front
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 28km remaining from 190km Meanwhile, the breakaway trio hits the Côte de Charrecey. It's just 2.1km long but the 6.7% gradient will sting.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 ???????????????????????? Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg abandons the race. After lengthy deliberations with medical personnel, the South African concedes his race is over and climbs into the Dimension Data car.
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 The breakaway comes towards the top of the climb. Combaud delivers the first injection of pace but soon Latour comes to the front and takes off. The Frenchman quickly opens a huge gap and the points will be his. 2 mins to the leader's jersey
'Dale Posted March 7, 2017 Posted March 7, 2017 Latour & Combaud|+20 seconds|King & Edet|+25 seconds|Peloton (20 kms to go)
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.